All AP Psychology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #21 : Consciousness
Paul is participating in a sleep study. The EEG he is connected to shows delta waves while he is sleeping. Which of the following stages of sleep is Paul experiencing?
Sleep onset stage
Stage two
Deep sleep stage
REM stage
Deep sleep stage
Delta waves are the slowest waves and occur during periods of deep sleep. It is also known as slow wave sleep. The answer would not be REM sleep, because it is characterized by saw-tooth waves. Sleep onset stage may be characterized by alpha (i.e. drowsy) and theta (i.e. light sleep) waves. Stage two of sleep typically shows k-complexes and sleep spindles, which are not seen with delta waves.
Example Question #22 : Biology Of Sleep
Which of the following is the "deepest" stage of sleep and is most commonly associated with dreams?
REM sleep
Stage 1 sleep
Stage 4 sleep
Stage 2 sleep
REM sleep
REM (rapid eye-movement) sleep is the fifth and final stage of sleep during which the body is in it's deepest sleep. Dreaming is most frequent, most vivid, and most memorable during REM sleep; however, other dreaming can occur during the other sleep stages.
Example Question #21 : Cognition And Consciousness
Jim works in marketing for a large company. His company often requires that he travel across the U.S. and sometimes internationally across time zones. As a result, he often experiences jet lag. Which of the following is affects Jim the most?
Circadian rhythm
REM sleep
Consciousness
Dreams
Circadian rhythm
The circadian rhythm is the 24-hour biological cycles found in humans and other species. Circadian rhythms are influential in regulating sleep, blood pressure, urine production, hormonal secretions, and other physical functions. Although each of these could be affected, the most comprehensive answer is circadian rhythm.
Example Question #23 : Biology Of Sleep
On average, a person repeats the sleep cycle about four times over the course of a night. Which of the following happens to the REM sleep period as the cycle repeats?
It becomes less associated with dreams each time
It does not change duroing the sleep cycle
It gets longer each time
It gets shorter each time
It gets longer each time
Over the course of the four repetitions, REM sleep starts as a fairly brief period of about 45 minutes. By the end of the fourth repetition, the REM period of the sleep cycle is substantially longer. Dreaming is most associated with REM sleep, and dreaming during REM stays the same over the course of the sleep cycle.
Example Question #24 : Biology Of Sleep
Inadequate sleep is a risk factor for which of the following?
Impaired immune functioning
Diabetes
Obesity
All of these
All of these
Sleep deprivation and partial sleep deprivation have many negative consequences on our physical and mental well-being. Studies have shown that people who consistently sleep less than 7 hours are at increased risk for overall mortality.
Example Question #21 : Consciousness
Which of the following stages of sleep and associated brain waves are correctly matched?
Stage 1: Alpha Waves
Stage 4: Beta waves
Stage 2: REM sleep
Stage 5: NREM sleep
Stage 3: Theta waves
Stage 1: Alpha Waves
Sleep can be divided into REM and NREM sleep. Stages 1 to 4 are characterized by non-rapid eye movement (i.e. NREM) sleep. Stage 5 is characterized by rapid eye movement (i.e. REM). Beta waves occur during normal wakefulness and are not associated with sleep. As the body begins to fall asleep and enters stage 1, alpha waves become present. During stage 2 theta waves and sleep spindles emerge. During stages 3 and 4, delta waves are present.
Example Question #21 : Biology Of Sleep
In which of the following stages of sleep are the brain waves the slowest?
Stage 4
REM
Stage 1
Stage 3
Stage 2
Stage 4
"Stage 4" has the slowest brain waves. This is because it's the deepest stage of sleep. The brain, if awoken in this stage, would take a long time to be able to perform certain actions because those brain waves have to be "sped up" to be able to engage in conscious action.
Example Question #24 : Biology Of Sleep
Which of the following is not true regarding night terrors?
During a night terror, a person may walk or sit up
Night terrors are not the same as nightmares
Night terrors happen in Stage 4 sleep
Night terrors happen mostly to children
Night terrors usually have a story or plot to them
Night terrors usually have a story or plot to them
"Night terrors usually have a story or plot to them" is the correct answer. This is the only answer that is not true. Nightmares usually have a story or a plot to them, not night terrors.
Example Question #21 : Consciousness
Which of the following does not occur during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep?
Less control over breathing
Low muscle tone throughout the body
Vivid dreams
Voluntary movement of the eyes
Random movement of the eyes
Voluntary movement of the eyes
During rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the random movement of the eyes is not voluntary because the person is soundly sleeping. REM sleep is essential for humans to feel well-rested and thrive during waking hours.
Example Question #21 : Biology Of Sleep
Wanda has chronically had poor sleep habits. She often remains awake in bed for hours before being able to fall asleep and sometimes becomes worried about the next day as she attempts to rest. In addition to having difficulty falling asleep, Wanda wakes up in the middle of the night several times per week and is unable to fall back asleep most of the time. Her lack of adequate quality sleep is starting to cause her problems at work and she is becoming very frustrated. Wanda is most likely suffering from which of the following?
Insomnia
Narcolepsy
Sleep apnea
Hypersomnia
Insomnia
Wanda probably has insomnia. Insomnia refers to chronic problems in getting adequate sleep stemming from difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or persistently waking up early. Hypersomnia is the opposite of insomnia when someone gets too much sleep. Sleep apnea is a condition when respiration is periodically stopped during sleep. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by sudden irresistible feelings of sleepiness during normal waking periods.